Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and reduces water loss, but offers no active benefits beyond basic moisturization.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and makeup.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from amino acids that helps soften skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A silky, non-comedogenic emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread easily and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or combination skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it's not well-studied for long-term skin effects.

A synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, amino-acid-based emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at higher concentrations.

A gentle, effective conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve softness in hair and skin, but may feel heavy for very fine hair.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dioleyl Phosphate is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A novel ingredient that may support collagen and skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

A novel peptide-ingredient hybrid that may help support skin firmness, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Diosmin is a plant-derived flavonoid that helps protect skin from oxidative stress and may reduce puffiness, but research in topical skincare is still emerging.

Dioxolane is a synthetic solvent that helps products spread and absorb, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dipalmitamine is a gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition hair and stabilize formulas, but it's not a star active.

A gentle amino-acid derivative that may help strengthen hair and support skin barrier function, but research is still limited.

A stabilized, fat-soluble glutathione that may help brighten skin and fight oxidative stress, but human evidence is still limited.

A skin-friendly phospholipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and soothes dryness without irritation.

A gentle, collagen-supporting ingredient that helps improve skin firmness and elasticity with low irritation risk.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine or oily hair types.

A mild, synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, palm-derived conditioning ingredient that softens hair and reduces static without weighing it down.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores or feeling greasy.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic film-former mainly used in nail products to create a durable, glossy finish; less common in leave-on skincare.

A high-performance emollient that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and helps products spread smoothly.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy ester that improves texture and wear in color cosmetics and skincare.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps thicken and stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that gives a silky finish without clogging pores, ideal for oil-free formulas.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

A synthetic crosslinker used in nail products to improve durability, but may cause skin sensitization in some individuals.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that gives a silky feel and helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores.

A versatile, lightweight emollient that helps products spread smoothly without feeling greasy, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that gives a silky finish without clogging pores, commonly used in high-end cosmetics.

A reliable, lightweight emollient that improves texture and spreadability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, synthetic emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and sunscreens without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic peptide that temporarily softens expression wrinkles by calming muscle contractions, similar to a milder, topical version of neuromodulators.

A lab-made peptide-niacin hybrid that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are limited.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide-niacin hybrid that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Dipeptide-8 HCl is a synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften the look of expression lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Diphenhydramine HCl is an oral and topical antihistamine, not a standard cosmetic ingredient; it is used for temporary itch relief, not for routine skincare.

Diphenolic acid is a synthetic pH adjuster with limited cosmetic research; it may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

A synthetic skin-conditioning ingredient with limited research; its complex structure may cause irritation for sensitive skin.